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Paper-and-Glue Unit Cell Models

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James P. Birk and Ellen J. Yezierski

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604

Michael Laing

School of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Natal, Dalbridge, South Africa

J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (2), p 157

DOI: 10.1021/ed080p157

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2003

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Folded paper models to represent structures in chemistry have been widely used but have been restricted mostly to molecular shapes. We have devised simple, body-centered, and face-centered cubic, hexagonal, and sodium chloride unit cell models for teaching about crystalline solids, which students can build from paper templates and glue. Once constructed, these individual unit cells can be combined to create a large model of a crystalline solid. Not only does this activity provide each student with personal models, but the students can also participate in a large group activity as the large crystal structures are assembled.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Demonstrations

Keywords (Feature):

Tested Demonstrations

Keywords (Subject):

Solid State Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

A Unit Cell Laboratory Experiment: Marbles, Magnets, and Stacking Arrangements
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Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
- A Unit Cell Laboratory Experiment: Marbles, Magnets, and Stacking Arrangements
  David C. Collins
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
  An undergraduate first-semester general chemistry laboratory experiment introducing face-centered, body-centered, and simple cubic unit cells is presented. Emphasis is placed on the stacking arrangement of solid spheres used to produce a particular unit ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Use of the Primitive Unit Cell in Understanding Subtle Features of the Cubic Close-Packed Structure
Linda M. Soper , John A. Hawkins and Jeffrey L. Rittenhouse , Robert C. Rittenhouse
Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (1), 90
- Use of the Primitive Unit Cell in Understanding Subtle Features of the Cubic Close-Packed Structure
  Linda M. Soper , John A. Hawkins and Jeffrey L. Rittenhouse , Robert C. Rittenhouse
  Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (1), 90
  One of the most important crystal structures adopted by metals is characterized by the abcabc… stacking of close-packed layers. This structure is commonly referred to in textbooks as the cubic close-packed (ccp) or face-centered cubic (fcc) structure, ...
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